1. Raspberry Pi in Headless Operation
What is headless operation?
The Raspberry Pi does not need to be connected to a keyboard, mouse, or monitor in order for you to run Python programs.
It is possible to use ssh (Secure Shell) or VNC(Virtual Network Computing) to execute programs or preform remote administration.
This presentation discusses the configuration of the Raspberry Pi for remote terminal access using ssh.
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

2. Change the default password on the Raspberry Pi
You need to change your password for the pi account from the default password (raspberry) to a new password, otherwise unauthorized users can access your Raspberry Pi once you enable ssh.
Menu -> Preferences -> Raspberry Pi Configuration
Change Password
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

3. Enable ssh on the Raspberry Pi
Menu -> Preferences -> Raspberry Pi Configuration
Interfaces -> Enable SSH
Reboot the Raspberry Pi
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

4. Determing the MAC Address
Open the terminal and type the following:
ifconfig
You should see the configuration for wlan0.
wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr b8:27:eb:78:33:33
inet addr: Bcast: Mask:
inet6 addr: fe80::ba27:ebff:fe67:f0eb/64
Write down the HWaddr, this is the hardware (MAC address) for your Raspberry Pi. b8:27:eb:78:33:33 is the address for the wireless NIC on this Raspberry Pi.
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

5. Configuring the IP Address
Connect to your wireless access point. Click on the icon of two computers located in the upper right-hand corner of your computer monitor. You should also create a DHCP reservation on your wireless access point for your Raspberry Pi HWAddr (MAC address) so that you are always assigned the same IP address. You must review the documentation for your wireless access point to determine how you create a DHCP reservation. If your wireless access point does not have a web-based interface then note the IP address, which is discussed on the following slide.
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

6. Determing the IP Address
Open the terminal and type the following:
ifconfig
You should see the configuration for wlan0.
wlan0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr b8:27:eb:78:33:33
inet addr: Bcast: Mask:
inet6 addr: fe80::ba27:ebff:fe67:f0eb/64
Write down the inet addr (IP address), this is the address assigned by DHCP to your Raspberry Pi.
is the address for the wireless NIC on this Raspberry Pi.
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

7. Specifying the default WiFi network
Create a backup copy of the wpa_supplicant.conf file
sudo cp /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf.backup
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

8. Specifying the default WiFi network
Edit the /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf file.
sudo nano /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
#Initial file
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
network={
ssid="MYHOMENETWORK"
key_mgmt=NONE }
ssid="PAW"
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

9. Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath
Delete all of the networks except the one you with which you need to connect
#Updated file
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1
network={
ssid="MYHOMENETWORK"
key_mgmt=NONE }
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

10. Save the updated wpa_supplicant.conf file.
Press Ctrl+O (This saves the file)
Hit the Enter key (Accept the filename)
Press Ctrl+X (This exits the nano editor)
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

11. Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath
Headless Operation
Shutdown your Raspberry Pi. Disconnect your Raspberry Pi from the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
Plug in your Raspberry Pi to your Power Pack.
SSH (Secure Shell to the Raspberry Pi)
Connecting from Windows - Download and install Putty from
Input your inet addr (IP address) to connect.
Connecting from Linux - Go to the Terminal and type ssh You would input your IP address.
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

12. Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath
Running python files
python3 SenseHatOne.py
You may need to navigate to the correct subdirectory.
Use cd directoryname to change the current directory
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath

13. Safely Shutdown the Raspberry Pi
Go to the Terminal
sudo shutdown -h now
Copyright (c) 2017 by Dr. E. Horvath